Europe’s Tariffs Take Effect Today As Trade Dispute Escalates

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Europe’s Tariffs Take Effect Today As Trade Dispute Escalates

Courtesy: CNN

(CNN Money) — Tariffs on more than $3 billion worth of American exports to Europe took effect on Friday (June 22).

The European Union has imposed additional tariffs of 25% on products such as motorcycles, orange juice, bourbon, peanut butter, cigarettes and denim — part of its response to the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum exports from Europe.

“The trade that we believe in is built on rules, trust, reliable partnership. The United States decision to impose targets on Europe goes against that, in fact it goes against all logic and history,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday.

“Our response must be clear but measured,” he added during a speech to the Irish parliament.

EU trade officials have described the US tariffs on steel and aluminum — justified by the Trump administration on grounds of national security -— as “illegal.”

The bloc has also filed a formal complaint at the World Trade Organization.

The initial wave of EU retaliatory tariffs is aimed at American goods worth €2.8 billion ($3.2 billion). If the trade dispute continues or is not resolved by the WTO, the European Union could target a second batch of American exports worth around €3.7 billion ($4.3 billion).

That list includes roughly 160 products such as US sunbeds, paper towels, corduroy pants and porcelain tableware.

A transatlantic trade battle could open a second front in a global trade war, with much at stake: The United States and the European Union trade just over €1 trillion ($1.2 trillion) in goods and services each year.